CANVASTOWN
SIPTHORPES TRACK, DART RIVER
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Statement of Significance
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CANVASTOWN - History
Canvastown (also known as Wye’s Camp and Little Dark Creek) was established as a town centre in 1877 along the Little Dark Creek. The site is south and east of Sipthorpe Track and is overgrown with shrubs and blackberries. The site contains a series of flat benches, marked with fireplace ruins. The Henry Barnes Hotel is situated at the centre of the site and comprises a stone fireplace and glass and ceramic artefact scatters. The remains of a blacksmith are also present to the east of the site. Canvastown functioned as a resting place on the Gibbo gold fields and was home to prospectors and travellers. It was believed to have functioned as a township until the early 1920s. he Gibbo Rush began in 1877, it is not yet known when Canvastown (also known as Wye’s Camp) was established along Little Dark Creek. Canvastown was well established by 1883, when it was visited and described as; “ ….A mile up the Little Dark River, and we reach Wye's Camp, or Canvas Town, as it is more popularly designated. I look for the "first-class accommodation " which the Wodonga people tell me I shall find, but I look in vain. Twenty tents comprise the camp, and all are occupied. Wandering among the canvas and bark habitations, I find a good Samaritan in Jack Sheehan, the representative of an Albury syndicate, and as I was a stranger […] he took me in, or else I might have camped beside a log, as others have done, until now....” Monday 27 August 1883 The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil: “The Dark River Diggings” 27 Aug 1883 - THE DARK RIVER DIGGINGS. - Trove (nla.gov.au) “There are at present about 25 prospectors at Wye's camp, etc. (mostly young men), living in tents. The camp is well situated on a flat spur close to the junction of the two Dark Creeks. In this cold frosty weather tents without fireplaces are not very comfortable, but "the boys" seem jolly and lively, and kill time of the long nights by singing songs and choruses to the accompaniment of concertinas, and tin-whistles, etc. Provisions are reasonable and plentiful at present, being packed up the creek one and a half miles from Williamson's and Wallish's stores…” Wednesday 18 July 1883 – The Bendigo Advertiser “The Dark River Gold Field 18 Jul 1883 - THE DARK RIVER GOLDFELD. - Trove (nla.gov.au) “The surrounding hills are all exceedingly steep, and the township of Canvastown rests at the bottom of a deep, narrow, and V-shaped glen; The postal name of Canvastown is now changed to that of Dark River. The comfortable little hotel is kept by Mr Meurant, an old miner and resident in this part of the world. A good number of people appeared to reside here, and the place had a busy bustling air. The great feature of this locality is the Dark River Company's mine, which lies obliquely opposite, a little to the left, and the first interests of this goldfield are resting greatly upon the operations there going on. Previous on my arrival was not interested in this company, but was anxious to see what was being done, as the Dark River Extended Company, in which I am a shareholder, are their next-door Neighbors. The Dark River Company's mine is situated upon a gold-bearing reef which for the sake of argument, may be said to run north and south, and the line commences at the northern end with …" 17 June 1884, ovens and Murray Advertiser 17 Jun 1884 - THE DARK RIVER GOLD-BEARING REEFS. - Trove (nla.gov.au) The Glendart township was abandoned by 1895, it is believed that Canvas Town continued as a town centre until the early twentieth century.CANVASTOWN - Interpretation of Site
Canvastown was founded along Little Dark Creek in response to the Gibbo goldrush, which began in 1877. It is unknown when the township was set up, however it was well established by 1883, supporting the surrounding goldfields. The township provided a variety of resources and accommodation to the surrounding mining industry and miners, including a hotel, store, blacksmith, providing a resting place on the Gibbo gold fields and home to prospectors and travellers. It was believed to have functioned as a township until the early 1920s. The site is currently located in the Alpine National Park.
Heritage Inventory Description
CANVASTOWN - Heritage Inventory Description
The site is located at the top end of Sipthorpe Track, on Little Dart Creek. South of the track the site was covered with blackberry and shrubbery. Nineteenth century ceramic and glass fragments were present on the track. To the North and northeast Little Dark Creek could be viewed across to the Glen Dart Battery (photo 1). The Kaufman and Swift site plan (Figure 1) showed the Canvastown site extended up the hill and east along the creek (Photo 2). Visibility was very poor, terrain was difficult and despite our proximity we could not local all features or the benched hut site on the north bank of the creek (Photo 3). The “blacksmith stand” was located in the same location along the creek, although camouflaged by shrubbery (Photo 4). There was a number of metal artefacts along the ground. From this location two bench huts with atone fireplaces were located, along with twentieth century glass artefacts. A number of Benched sites were located, however the Hotel Site was in impassable dense scrub and could not be visited. Like the other sites it is likely to be in good condition.
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